Councils are ending their twinning arrangements with Russian cities as a show of their opposition to the military action being carried out by Russia.

Durham Council has ended its 50-year ties with Kostroma ‘as a show of our opposition' while Nottingham City Council will sever its twin-city ties with Krasnodar in response to the invasion of Ukraine.

Oxford City Council has put in place steps to end its official twinning agreement with the city of Perm, Wakefield Council has announced it will formally revoke its twin town arrangement with Belgorod and Exeter City Council is considering suspending its civic relations with Yaroslavl.

Local government minister Kemi Badenoch said it was 'right' for councils to revisit twinning arrangements with towns, cities and local authorities in Russia.